Current Studies

The Pediatric Neuropsychiatry team is currently looking for patients interested in enrolling in the studies listed below. If you are interested and would like more information, please contact the team by telephone (727-767-8230) or email (RothmanCtr@health.usf.edu)

Dr. Tanya Murphy

Title: Antibiotic treatment trial for the PANDAS/PANS phenotypePurpose: To compare the effects of placebo vs. azithromycin (an antibiotic) on symptom severity in a subset of children with obsessive compulsive symptoms known as PANDAS/PANS.

Title: SPRITES: A Non-interventional, Longitudinal, Cohort Study to Evaluate the Effects of Long-term Sertraline Treatment in Children and AdolescentsPurpose: To evaluate the risks and benefits of up to 3 years of treatment with sertraline on cognition (thinking), emotional and physical development, and pubertal (sexual) maturation in children ages 6-14 years.

Title: A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, cross-over study to assess the efficacy and safety of ecopipam in children ages 7-17 with TSPurpose: To evaluate an experimental drug called ecopipam in children ages 7-17 with Tourette's syndrome.

Title: 2/3 CBT for Anxiety Disorders in Autism: Adapting Treatment for AdolescentsPurpose: To examine the efficacy of a manualized cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat anxiety disorders in early adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

Title: Mediators of Functional Impairment in Adult Obsessive-Compulsive DisorderPurpose: To examine the factors that might mediate the relationship between OCD symptom severity and impairment in daily functioning.

Title: Psychometric Evaluation of the Children's Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale - Second EditionPurpose: To examine the psychometric properties of a new measure of obsessive compulsive symptoms in children.

Title: Clinical Features of Youth with Tic DisordersPurpose: An examination of clinical characteristics, psychosocial correlates, and treatment perceptions among youth with Chronic Tic Disorders.

Title: Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: An Examination of the Impact Upon Family Functioning and Youth Social Functioning Purpose: To examine the impact of pediatric OCD upon family and social functioning, such as whether or not OCD symptoms interfere with family relationships or negatively impact a youth's interactions with peers.

Title: Dissemination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Childhood Anxiety in El SalvadorPurpose: As a part of this study, psychologists in El Salvador were trained in CBT for anxious youth. We are examining the effectiveness of this treatment in Salvadorian youth and the feasibility of implementing evidence-based treatments in the local community.

Title: Social Experiences of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)Purpose: This study examines the social experiences of youth diagnosed with ASD between the ages of 9 and 17 years through parent and child questionnaires administered at the Rothman Center and the University of South Florida in Tampa. These questionnaires explore their child's social experiences, parental stress, social skills, child psychpathology, and social support. Participants are entered into a raffle to win a $20 gift card for their participation. For more information, please contact the Principal Investigator, Danielle Ung, at danielleung@mail.usf.edu.

Title: Psychometrics of the Treatment Worries QuestionnairePurpose: To examine worries kids and parents may have about starting treatment for anxiety and/or OCD.

Title: Exposure-Focused Family-Based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Youth with ASD and Comorbid AnxietyPurpose: To examine the efficacy of exposure-focused family-based cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat anxiety disorders in children with autism spectrum disorders.

Dr. Adam Lewin

Purpose: To examine a “Stepped Care” CBT intervention for children with OCD in which treatment is family-led and therapist-guided compared to standard, therapist-led CBT.

Title: A Brief Behavioral Treatment for Anxiety in Young Children

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of a parent-led behavioral treatment for children ages 3 to 7 years old with problematic anxiety.

Dr. Omar Rahman

Title: Habit Reversal Training for Trichotillomania in Youth: A Controlled TrialPurpose: To examine how well habit reversal training (HRT) works in treatment of Trichotillomania in children and adolescents; to examine the how well certain psychosocial factors predict treatment response.